His Holiness the Seventeenth Gyalwang Karmapa presiding over the Monlam in Bodghaya

Through the auspices of His Holiness the Seventeenth Gyalwang Karmapa, the Kagyu Monlam - an extensive prayer assembly and teaching event for monastic and lay sangha - will occur this summer for the first time ever on American soil. The first North American Kagyu Monlam will be hosted by Karma Triyana Dharmachakra (KTD) in Woodstock, New York from July 13th - July 17th. This event will be an extension of the annual Kagyu Monlam Chenmo in Bodhgaya, India. His Holiness Karmapa will personally develop the prayers and programs for this North American Kagyu Monlam.

Image of Shakyamuni Buddha
on
one of the tormas from the
Monlam in Bodghaya

Established in 15th century Tibet as a prayer assembly venerating the miracles of Shakyamuni Buddha, the Kagyu Monlam has drawn its inspiration from the collected aspirations of the Kagyu lineage holders. Through the kindness of the Very Venerable Kyabje Kalu Rinpoche and the Very Venerable Bokar Rinpoche, the Monlam was reinstituted in Bodhgaya, India where the Kagyu Monlam has assembled 27 times. Since 2004, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Orgyen Trinley Dorje, has assumed responsibility for vitalizing this extraordinary tradition.

The purpose of the Kagyu Monlam is to gather together all practitioners to create universal aspirations of goodwill and harmony. As stated by His Holiness Karmapa,

“Kagyu Monlam is an avenue whereby we can spread, at times of great need, the genuine spirit of love and compassion to all the people of the world, like a great ripple, first in Bodhgaya, then in Bihar, and so on. As we continuously offer these prayers for world peace, it is our intention and our wish that peace and happiness extend to all.”

Considered by Native American elders to be sacred, and blessed by His Holiness the Sixteenth Gyalwang Karmapa, as well as His Holiness the Dalai Lama, His Holiness the Sakya Trizin, Tai Situ Rinpoche, Jamgön Kongtrul Rinpoche, and Kyapje Gyaltsap Rinpoche, the location of Karma Triyana Dharmachakra will serve as an auspicious inaugural base for the first North American Kagyu Monlam as well as for future annual Monlams around the United States and Canada

“Great nonsectarian masters of the Kagyu, Sakya, Nyingma, and Geluk traditions have conducted the practices of teaching and accomplishment here continuously for over three decades. Therefore Karma Triyana Dharmachakra is a very special place. If a Kagyu Monlam can be convened at this location – a special place endowed with such unique blessings – I think it will serve to promote peace locally and throughout the world and bring tremendous benefit for sentient beings.”

— Ven. Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, Abbot of KTD, appointed by the 16th Karmapa

During
Monlam, practitioners come together as one community to concentrate pure intentions and virtuous activities into one mandala that encompasses all space and sentient beings.

“The Kagyu Monlam has been held in countries around the world, allowing practitioners to come together as a sangha and join voices and intention in unified aspiration. His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Orgyen Trinley Dorje has now given his blessing for the first Kagyu Monlam in North America. Together we will pray for the balance of the four elements during these difficult times, for world peace, and for the happiness of all beings. Our aspirations become the ground of our future experience. This is a rare and precious opportunity to magnify the power of our pure intentions.”

Please do not miss this unique opportunity to celebrate through prayer the peaceful aspirations for the planet.

“The purpose of Kagyu Monlam is to perform aspiration prayers to remove obstacles and promote well-being for all sentient beings. I rejoice in the vast merit accumulated by those who will participate in this event.”

– Lama Tsewang Rinpoche, Founder, Da-Nang Benevolence Association

“I am very happy that rinpoches, lamas, and dharma practitioners will gather together to pray for world peace and for the well-being of all sentient beings, and I hope that this is the start of a long tradition in this part of the world,”